‘Irish language funding stand-off must end’ – Bradley

SDLP Irish Language spokesperson Dominic Bradley has said that the stand-off between Foras na Gaeilge and the core-funded Irish languages regarding the model for the funding of Irish language development must end.

Speaking after senior officials of Foras gave evidence to the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee the Newry and Armagh MLA said, “The present stand-off on funding issues with Foras in one corner and the core funded groups in the other is not to the benefit of positive promotion and development of the Irish language across the whole island. There is a clear need for a compromise position to be reached – one which satisfies to the greatest extent possible the needs of both partners in this equation. The present situation has gone on for too long and we do not seem to be any nearer to reaching a satisfactory conclusion.”

“At the end of the day,” Bradley continued, “all parties to this dispute should bear in mind that the main aim in all of this is the promotion and development of the Irish language in the most efficient and effective way possible. I hope that, over the next few weeks, a solution will emerge on the back of the outcomes from the second round of consultation.”

“The DCAL committee will continue to monitor progress on this issue until an acceptable conclusion has been reached,” he added.